Credit: Marvel Studios / Sony Pictures / edited by ITMMarvel has felt a little off lately. Choices that once seemed genius suddenly feel confusing, and fans have spent months wondering when things would get back on track. Yet in a twist nobody saw coming, some projects once considered total failures are suddenly getting a second wind. That alone has sparked intense discussion across the fandom about what this could mean for the previously failed films.
Marvel’s Recent Misses Leave Fans Scratching Their Heads
For years, Marvel Studios had a nearly perfect streak. The studio could release anything, and people would show up, cheer, and brag about being the first to see it. That energy has cooled, and the box office makes it clear. Projects like The Eternals (2021), Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), Captain America: Brave New World (2025), and Thunderbolts (2025) did not carry the torch like earlier MCU era hits.
These titles did bring in money, just nowhere near the massive returns the MCU was known for. Fans did not exactly rush to theaters for repeat viewings, and when they finally streamed later, the reaction stayed lukewarm. Critics did not jump to defend them either.
These films did not earn that classic Marvel sentiment of “give it time and watch again.” They simply landed, made a splash for a moment, then drifted away with mixed reactions trailing behind.
For a franchise that dominated pop culture for over a decade, this shift has been jarring. The MCU once owned every box office record in sight. Now the conversation includes questions like “Can Marvel get its magic back?” and “Do fans still trust this universe to deliver?” That is not the energy the studio is used to.
Marvel Titles That Struggled Even More
Marvel’s brand extends beyond the MCU, and Sony continues to produce its own Marvel projects, including titles connected to Spider-Man. However, the results have not been uniformly positive. While Sony collaborates with Disney on the Tom Holland Spider-Man arc and gears up for Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), several other entries fizzled.
Two titles stand out for all the wrong reasons: Madame Web (2024) and Kraven the Hunter (2024). Both movies flopped at the box office. Critics did not hold back, fans did not fall in love, and ticket sales painted a rough picture. Budgets soared and profits shrank quickly. Madame Web barely crossed the cost threshold. Kraven the Hunter struggled even more, ranking among Sony’s weakest box office performers ever.
In a year already filled with questions about superhero fatigue, those results did not help the conversation. People wondered whether audiences had finally moved on from the genre or if the studios had simply drifted too far from what made these stories work.
Then came a twist.
Streaming Suddenly Flips the Script
Just when it seemed these films would fade into the history books as cautionary tales, they returned. Both Madame Web and Kraven the Hunter shot up Netflix’s most-watched lists once they arrived on the platform. One even sat at the number one spot overall at one point. The other cracked the top five shortly after.
This shocked fans because nothing in those theatrical runs suggested a comeback was brewing. Yet streaming audiences took notice. Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe it was fans wanting to judge the movies for themselves.
Whatever the reason, both titles have found new eyes and new energy. That renewed attention has sparked chatter about whether audiences misunderstood them or simply preferred watching at home instead of spending money at the theater.
Suddenly, projects once written off have sparked gossip, memes, and debate again. For Marvel films that were expected to sink quietly, this rebound has been a major surprise.
Sony Shifts Course and Looks Ahead
Sony paid attention to these numbers, but it still shifted strategy. After the strict performance of live-action spin-offs, the studio adjusted its Marvel plans. The next major priority is the continued partnership with Disney, as seen through Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) on the calendar.
Sony also has major confidence in the animated side of the franchise. The Spider-Verse saga remains a beloved and respected part of the Marvel universe. The next chapter, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027), already has fans buzzing and expecting emotional punches and groundbreaking visuals. Miles Morales’ story holds a special place in the hearts of audiences, and that provides Sony with a strong anchor moving forward.
Sony’s live-action Marvel catalog will still stream, and the recent Netflix success could influence future decisions. Momentum on streaming does matter now. If fans continue to discover or reevaluate these films at home, their legacy may shift over time.
An Unexpected Return?
This is where things get interesting. Typically, movies with substantial box office numbers rarely spark discussions about sequels. Yet when streaming performance spikes, executives start to take notice. Do fans actually want more, or are they simply investigating the hype for themselves? That is the question.
Nothing is confirmed publicly, but renewed attention can have unexpected consequences in Hollywood. Cameos, alternate universe crossovers, short returns, or even full sequels suddenly feel less impossible. Never forget that the superhero genre has revived characters from stranger places. If audiences continue to stream these films, chatter may evolve into action.
For now, the safer bet is future nods rather than full-scale returns. Sony is focused on the Spider-Man core and the animated universe. Yet the door is cracked. Streaming has changed the game, and studios chase attention wherever it appears.
What This Means for Disney and Marvel Moving Forward
Disney finds itself in a surprising narrative today. Instead of getting drowned out by criticism, the studio suddenly feels like it is standing on more solid ground. Fans are paying attention again. Complaints do not dominate the conversation. It is curiosity, debate, and a bit of disbelief that some of the most heavily criticized movies in the Marvel umbrella are suddenly trending.
Does that mean Marvel is fully back? No. Not yet. Trust returns slowly, and momentum takes time to rebuild. However, Marvel, as a brand, is showing that it still has pull, even when everything seems stacked against it.
A Twist Nobody Expected
This moment feels like a plot twist nobody saw coming. Disney and Marvel were fielding doubt, frustration, and memes about superhero fatigue. Now forgotten movies are finding new life and sparking discussion again. Theaters told one story. Streaming is telling another. If Marvel uses this spark correctly, the comeback could be bigger than anyone expects.
For now, the revival is small and unexpected, but it is real. Fans are watching. The industry is watching. Marvel has climbed out of far deeper holes, and this surprise boost may be exactly the energy the studio needed.